Word
internment
Phoneticsin·tern·ment, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈtɝnmənt/
UK/ɪntˈɜːnmənt/
In Japanese
internment; detainment; detention
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. All sources.
Definition
n. the act of keeping someone in a camp or prison for a long time, often because of their nationality or political beliefs. It is usually done by a government during a war or a crisis.
n. the act of detaining a person or group in a camp or prison, typically for a prolonged period and without trial. Often associated with wartime policies or political repression.
Examples
“The government's internment of Japanese citizens during the war is a controversial topic.”
“Historians continue to debate the legal justification for the internment of civilians during the conflict.”
“The policy of internment was justified by the state as a necessary measure to prevent espionage, though critics argued it was a gross violation of civil liberties.”
Examples
simple
“The government's internment of Japanese citizens during the war is a controversial topic.”
contextual
“Historians continue to debate the legal justification for the internment of civilians during the conflict.”
complex
“The policy of internment was justified by the state as a necessary measure to prevent espionage, though critics argued it was a gross violation of civil liberties.”
Real-World Examples
“For McClaren, the moment carried eerie resonances to the Palmer Raids of 1919-1920, and the internment of Japanese Americans during the second world war.” Etymology
From intern + -ment.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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